A COURAGEOUS Largs woman has told how she was left bedbound for EIGHT MONTHS by a crippling strain of coronavirus.

Elizabeth Balmer, who is just 27, initially thought she only had earache before the illness ravaged her body and stripped her of her independence.

The geology student warned other young people not to take the virus lightly after revealing how it left her with a nightmare catalogue of different symptoms that lasted for a full year.

These included extreme tiredness and severe chest pains.

Elizabeth said: "I spent month after month in bed from March and only started to feel a little bit better by October.

"Only then was I able to do a couple more things and stabilise my health. I've had a really tough year. Coronavirus was difficult to recover from as not only did it hit me physically but also mentally."

Her bravery saw her chosen for a coveted place on a sailing adventure for young people affected by the pandemic.

The Edinburgh University student was selected as an ambassador for the Our Isles and Oceans project in partnership with the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, which provides funded sailing programmes for young people.

She explained "In May of this year I felt better and when I saw this come up I had to go for it.

"I was previously a very fit person with no underlying conditions who enjoyed the outdoors. Covid took me by surprise - after my 14 days of self isolating I realised I wasn't starting to feel better like everyone says you should.

"I got everything checked out including my hearts and lungs and I have been told that there is no long term damage. I am a young woman, so people need to realise this virus can attack you whatever age you are.

"At my worst, I experienced really bad chest pain for about ten months, awful fatigue and really bad headaches. I also had swelling to parts of my body, heart palpitations and pins and needles in my hands and feet randomly, as well as eye pain.

"Sufferers can experience around 50 different symptoms and as soon as I got rid of one, another seemed to develop. It was really horrific at times.

"It all started with a sore ear and then a week later I had the chest pains and couldn't breath properly. I got checked out twice at hospital and they discovered it was Covid-19.

"I thought that in two weeks I would be right as rain again, but it turned into a nightmare that at times I never thought would end."

Elizabeth has only now really recovered after a nightmare year and took the opportunity to go on the sailing adventure with both hands - loving every minute of it.

Elizabeth, who lives in Brisbane Street with parents Brian and Elaine, said: "It was unbelievable. I met some amazing people."

The crew met at Oban last Tuesday, visited the Scottish Association for Marine Science and sailed out to the Isle of Mull and Tobermory, before heading onwards to Coll and Tiree.

Elizabeth, who learnt how to sail at Largs Yacht Haven, said: "It was an incredible experience and uplifting for everyone involved after what they had gone through with coronavirus."

Elizabeth now aims to complete her PHD and is hoping to win an opportunity to return to the clipper for a leg of the Round the World race.

She said: "I had to pause my PHD when I took unwell and started back in October part-time. Now I am going back full time and hope to complete it by the end of next year.

"I am not sure yet what I am going to do but I'd like to teach, and do a lot of research, but my eyes have been fully opened to a sailing career so if I could combine the two that would be great."